Nothing Tiffany About it - but it's as Special !!!!

Hello Lovely readers !!!! How are we doing today????

I have images of a very special tea time that I put together for a very dear friend "L". As much as my tea time is "Me Time". It's also a time to reflect........ relax and unwind........ cozy up........ get energized........ savor every sip and put everything aside and finish the cup of goodness while it's still hot...............and to socialize, bond and catch up with friends. 

You know  the feeling  you have on certain days..... when all you need is positive affirmation or assertion ???? Well that's exactly what "L" needed. And like you all know, it's just a phase and will pass.......But in an attempt to make her feel better and let her know that I was there for her, I put this little teascape together.

I chose the gorgeous teal and red tone tea cups to set the mood. An empty glass pasta sauce container was up-cycled to be a vase and I covered it with the recycled jute from rice bags (Royal Basmati rice bags to be precise). Then some wonderful blue ribbon was wrapped around it and made into a pretty knot. A paper clip held it securely in place. I also made a tag that reads " Tea Time" with individual letter stamps.

Queen Anne's lace from the backyard was just the perfect addition to the teascape. This is another common wild flower of Virginia and as legend has it, it was named after the English queen who was an excellent lace maker. When she pierced her finger, a single drop of blood stained the lace, thus the dark floret at the center of the lady's head. 

 By the time "L" had finished her cup of Indian style cardamom tea and chocolate marble truffle cake, she was all smiles. And she loved the flower arrangement so much, she took it with her to put it by her bed. And seeing her smile and happy, definitely made that extra effort well worth while.

Linking it to:
Tea cup Tuesday at http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/
Tuesday Cuppa Tea at http://www.antiquesandteacups.info/
Friends Sharing Tea at http://blog.bernideens.com/
Tea time Tuesday at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.ca/2013/10/tea-time-tuesday_21.html

Images:Clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.

Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and subject to copyright.

Dip Into It !!!! (An Inkling on My Antique Inkwells)

I like accessories that tell a tale or two or have traces of time on them. I do not like to merely fill the room, but to decorate with pieces that reflect the personality of the people who live there. Clearly you can tell we love antiques and everything vintage.    

I have been lucky to own two antique Indian inkwells that are rare and make interesting pieces of decor to display. The round ink well was sourced by my dad from a flea market in India. The other dancing lady was what my husband and I found on one of our scouting trips back home.These gorgeous inkwells are made of brass and the dancing lady is unique, cause her torso forms the lid for the inkwell.

I love to group a collection together as it makes a big impact.

Think outside the box -  a metal pale used as a vase

I always like to know a little something about the beautiful pieces that I surround my self with. So some digging revealed that archaeological evidence exists that metallic ink-pots were introduced in the subcontinent by the Greeks and the Sakas (ancient tribe of Iranian origin) imitated them in terracotta. (Source: The Encyclopedia of Indian Archaeology edited by Amalananda Ghosh ). And then the 1880's saw the desertion of the inkwells with the invention of the first practical fountain pen. Some where along the way, these scarce and abandoned pieces turned from trash to treasure.

Antiques make interesting conversation pieces

This time my inkwells have been paired with the Purple Thistle. It is a common wildflower found here in Virginia at this time of the year. As interesting as they look these pretty flowers have spiky stems and leaves. I did have some... Oh... Agh... Ouch... moments in the process of trying to get them. Once dry, they turn white producing dandelion like seeds. On a breezy day the seeds look like a millions dandelions have been let loose.

The distressed metallic purple pail, I found at Target for a $1 and now it’s turned into a vase for a charming display. I placed a votive candle holder inside the pail to hold the water for the flowers. I even found a blue pail and could not resist it. I'll come with something for that. The possibilities are endless, let the creativity get the better of you. Have a great weekend!!! 

All images clicked by me. Please do not use without prior written permission.
Images are the property of Sruthi Singh and are subject to copyright. 

"My" Lady with the Lamp

I hope you guys had a wonderful weekend. It was a busy, fun filled weekend for my family. We had friends from India visiting us. There was a whole load of catching up to do as we were meeting after 5 long years. My 6 year old was super excited to have company.

Now coming to “Lady with the Lamp”. I’m NOT talking about the famous Indian painting by S.L.Haldankar. Unfortunately for S.L.Haldankar, this oil painting is sadly mistaken to be that of the renowned painter Raja Ravi Verma. What I love about this painting is the realistic style and the intricate details (the luminescent glow).Take one look at the painting below and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Lady with the Lamp by S.L. Haldankar

I was referring to the brass Paavai Vilakku( as referred to in Tamil). It’s an oil lamp in the form of a lady holding a vessel with her palms. The Paavai Vilakku (the taller lady in the picture) is an heirloom piece that belonged to my great grandmother. The lamp is more than a hundred years old. It’s one of my prized possessions. On my vacation to India last summer, my mom was very generous and I soon had her lady with the lamp accompany me back to Virginia.

"MY " Lady with the Lamp

This form of lamp is said to be initiated by Roman settlers in south India. As time went by the artisans adapted them to suit the Indian needs and creative desires.

Don't be afraid to mix the old with the new

In the picture above the lady looks comfortable in her new setting for the evening paired with a carved wooden candle stand (from India) and a ceramic red jug (from Home Goods) holding Black-eyed Susan (best known wild flower). The name Black-eyed Susan comes from an Old English poem of the post-Elizabethan era entitled simply, “Black-Eyed Susan,” written by John Gay, 1685-1732.

Here is a close up of my collection of these charming ladies as they adorn my coffee table every single day.

Isn't this a wonderful way to enjoy a few minutes of "me time” on a summer evening on the deck ? 

Image 2,3,4 are clicked by Sruthi Singh.

(These images are the property of Sruthi Singh and are subject to copyright. Please do not use without prior written permission.)

Image 1 via blog.orangecarton.com

The Asian Influence

Buddha has always been one of the most popular décor elements in my home. His tranquil and composed stature always seems to spread vibrations of calm and peace. 

This graceful mudra (gesture) of Buddha’s hand pointing towards heaven symbolizes offering a way of peace and enlightenment. We found this wonderful piece at World Market and at once knew I had to have it.

The hand mudra together combined with the wild chicory flowers equates to nothing less than an exotic setting. To appreciate the splendor of these bright blue beautiful flowers one would have to wake up early cause once the sun is up the flowers  tend to close up for the rest of the day! Yup, I woke up early and didn't regret it one bit.  Researching about this common Virginia wildflower reveals that it has an ancient past and was used in cooking in Europe as the leaves bitterness is appreciated in certain cuisines. The plant also has medicinal properties.

A few sprays of these beautiful flowers transformed the coffee table at my place. The magic of fresh flowers is indisputable. Enjoy your long weekend and do drop in again on more of modest joys of life !!!! 

(Images clicked by Sruthi Singh).   

These images are the property of Sruthi Singh and are subject to copyright. Please do not use without prior written permission.